Scoring is the term applied to the process that places a crease in paper stocks
and other substrates allowing the material to be folded. A score may be used
to crease the cover of a publication, provide areas for folding a document allowing
insertion into an envelope, create heavy creases in shipping cartons to allow
easy assembly of the carton, and numerous other applications.

Scoring Methods

Products Printed and Scored Online (Web Presses)

Parallel Scoring: When a score must be applied parallel to the direction
that the stock travels through the printing press, a steel scoring wheel is
used. As the stock travels through the press, the scoring wheel applies pressure
on the stock in the area where the score is desired. The scoring wheel has
a flattened edge, which squeezes the paper fibers in a concentrated area and
thereby creating the score in the stock. The flattened edge of the score wheel
prevents the substrate from being cut rather than scored. Scoring wheels are
available in various widths to produce narrow or wide scores on the substrate.
Multiple parallel scores can be applied at the same time. Since the printing
and scoring of the substrate are accomplished in one operation, considerable
savings in labor and cost can be achieved than if the scoring was performed
as an offline operation.

Perpendicular Scoring: For scores that must be perpendicular to the
direction the paper travels through the printing press, steel scoring rules
are used. The steel rules are inserted into cylinders on the press, which
allow the rules to stamp the score into the paper as the cylinders revolve.
Like scoring wheels, the rule edges are flattened to allow for proper scoring
and prevent the scoring rule from cutting the substrate. Compared with parallel
scoring, there are usually more limitations as to the number and placement
of perpendicular scores, so it is best to consult the print provider to learn
of the possible limitations.

Printed Products Scored Offline

There are occasions when scores are added as an offline process, after the
product has been printed. Generally, products that have a score applied offline
consist of smaller quantities and have been printed on sheet-fed presses.
Large quantities are more economical to print and score in one operation at
a web press. Many products that are scored offline are sent through equipment
that can apply only full length scores and use score wheels similar to those
used on a web press. The scoring wheels apply full scores either parallel
or perpendicular to the grain of the paper, depending on the direction the
paper is sent through the equipment. To apply both parallel and perpendicular
scores, the paper is sent through the equipment twice. To help save time,
some products can be manufactured with several printed copies on one large
sheet so that when the sheet is sent through the scoring equipment, the scores
are applied to all of the copies on the large sheet at the same time. The
large sheets are then cut into individual finished pieces. Scores can also
be applied with flatbed equipment in much the same way that perforations are
applied. Special score rules are used which can apply a score without cutting
through the paper.

Scoring Direction Designation

Parallel Scoring:

Perpendicular Scoring:

Parallel scores are described as scores that run in the same direction
that the paper travels through the press and/or are parallel with
the grain of the paper.

The number and position of the scores are usually not critical
for full parallel perforations.

Partial scores do not run the full size of the printed piece.

The number and position of partial scores are limited. Consult
your supplier for information on these limitations.

Perpendicular scores run in the opposite direction that the paper
travels through the press and/or are perpendicular to the grain
direction of the paper.

There are limitations on the number and position of scores allowed.

Partial perpendicular scores do not run the full size of the printed
piece.

The number and position of partial scores are limited. Consult
your supplier for information on these limitations.

Scoring Tips

The following suggestions may improve the quality of the score
or the ease in which the score is applied to the stock.

The grade and weight of the paper may contribute to the quality of a score.
It may be difficult to achieve a good score on thinner stock, such as 20 lb.
bond. A score in thin stock may not be easy to detect, while a stock that
is much heavier, such as 110 lb. index, will have a more pronounced
score. The lighter paper will also be more difficult to score properly, because
there is less tolerance in the equipment settings required to achieve a proper
score on thinner stock. Inaccurate equipment settings will be more forgiving
on thicker stock than on thin.

The paper grain direction has much to do with the quality of the score.
Paper that is scored parallel with the grain of the paper will score much
more cleanly. The score is cleaner because the paper fibers (grain) are running
in the same basic direction as the score. Only a few of the fibers provide
any resistance to the scoring action which results in a high quality score.

When a score is applied perpendicular to the grain of the paper, the resulting
score may have a ragged appearance. The ragged score is the results of all
of the fibers being scored at one time creating resistance to the scoring
action. The ragged appearance is especially noticeable when scoring heavy
stocks.

The settings used with the scoring equipment will affect the quality of
the score. If too little pressure is used when applying the scores, the result
may be scores that do not fold properly, if at all. If too much pressure is
used, scoring wheels and rules may actually cut the paper instead of scoring
it.